Glass or no?

[MisplacedTexan99]

Last two seasons I have been finding alot of success with crankbaits, its become one of my confidence baits. I throw light cranks mostly squarebills and other shallow cranks. The 1.5 is about as big as I like to go, 1.0 size is my sweet spot. My question is I am about to purchase a new rod to dedicate for cranking and just wondering if a glass rod would be more beneficial with the small shallow cranks or would a moderate action graphite rod be better. Thanks in advance

[NHBull]

Glass rods feel to flimsy and heavy for me.

With tapers and improvements in technology, I prefer graphite 

[SWVABass]

I fish two different rods. I have a glass rod for throwing square bills it's a Rick clunn rod by W&M and I love it. I have a graphite rod I built from mud hole and it's pretty nice, my next stick for throwing cranks will be glass or a blend. I really like what I am reading about the new legend glass from St Criox.

[KDW96]

It all depends on your budget. Are you throwin them on braid or mono? Im mainly a falcon rod guy,have been for 17 years,but the rod i always throw 1.0,1.5 is a 7ft ML CRANKIN STIK. Using 30pd braid(8pd mono diam powerpro),its been the perfect setup for me. Them 1.0 dont really get the kudos they deserve as they are fish catchin magnets. Always set the drag accordingly.

[RichF]

I'm a big fan of glass.  Most of them aren't like the glass rods of old.  My powell glass rods are pretty darn light.  I also have a Lamiglas Excel II glass rod that's even lighter.

[A-Jay]

Perhaps you could consider the third option ~ a composite stick.

These rods can offer a nice bend of performance & action; some parabolic sweetness of fiberglass with the light weight sensitivity of graphite.

IMO, the best of both worlds.

A-Jay

[Guest]

No

[A-Jay]

Maybe get both.

A-Jay

[WIGuide]

I asked the same question before pulling the trigger on my first crankbait rod. I really like St. Croix rods, so I called up the factory and the guy I talked to there told me that with graphite you get more sensitivity, with a lighter weight, and still have the same action. He recommended going with graphite, which is what I did and can honestly say, I don't ever see myself buying a glass rod. 

[BigGame0892]

I've tried both graphite and glass.  I've settled on a Dobyns 705 CB glass which is a graphite glass composite I believe.  Best cranking stick I've ever owned.

[Guest]

This is a hard decision if you're used to graphite I myself posted this exact question some time ago I ordered the mojo glass target cranker it was on back order at the time. 

  I was going back and forth on my decision based mainly on responses I learned from here.

  I like to feel everything I bumb into rocks trees stumps branches leaves grass and I didn't feel that I would get that from a glass rod. At the last minute I changed my order and ended up getting the 7 mhmf st croix spinner bait model I use it mainly for  square bills and spinnerbaits of course but I'm satisfied with the moderate action of the rod and still having that sensitivity from graphite, I don't think I would buy glass. I wouldn't mind giving a good composite rod a try.

  I don't fish squarebills under 3/8 ounces.

[blckshirt98]

Call me crazy but if you're mostly using KVD 1.0 sized squarebills I'd stick with a spinning setup.  Finding a reel that can handle really light baits like that without backlashing might be a bit of work.

[Bluebasser86]

I use bother personally. The 1.0 size baits I fish on a spinning rod. The 1.5 and up sized baits I fish on a glass rod.

[iceintheveins]

Glass or composite rod for all treble hook baits and any fast bait like a spinnerbait or buzzbait. The only exception is a hard jerkbait, for which I use a medium action, fast action graphite.

[FrankN209]

The new St. Croix Glass is only 5oz..

[sgibby88]

All my rods are graphite so I cant answer the question. I do however want to get a glass rod to try out and see how I like it

[Poolshark]

i use and like both but  I will always say it's more comfortable to use a graphite rod. It's lighter and more sensitive. with that said, it is simply personal preference. Use what works for you. For cranks that size I would be using the lightest rod I could get away with....

[MisplacedTexan99]

Thanks for the help, I think I'm leaning towards a good moderate graphite, looking at the falcon Jason Christie editions, the new Daiwa tatula xt, also academy has a new h20 express ethos and I've heard really good things about those rods. Thinking 7 foot medium/moderate. Would love to hear some opinions on those rods or any other I should check out. The enigma rods kind of interested me to but I don't k ow anyone who has used them. Thanks again

[BrianSnat]

I prefer graphite and for crankbaits, a moderate taper rod.

[MisplacedTexan99]

Well after going back and forth and looking around I decided on a 7 foot medium moderate falcon bucoo sr. It's on the way now is the hard part, waiting....

[papajoe222]

Only you will be able to determine what's best for you, but I will make one suggestion; Consider the type of cover you'll be fishing most often. For vegetation and standing timber, you'll want a set-up that will transmit as much information back to you as possible. I opt for graphite for those conditions.  For banging cranks off cover like lay downs and rock, or for just deflecting one along the bottom, I like a composite. 

[MisplacedTexan99]

31 minutes ago, papajoe222 said:

Only you will be able to determine what's best for you, but I will make one suggestion; Consider the type of cover you'll be fishing most often. For vegetation and standing timber, you'll want a set-up that will transmit as much information back to you as possible. I opt for graphite for those conditions.  For banging cranks off cover like lay downs and rock, or for just deflecting one along the bottom, I like a composite. 

That's a great point, I fish vegetation and sparse timber almost exclusively. I opted for the graphite for the sensitivity with the smaller cranks and type of cover.

[Columbia Craw]

There's a place for both.  Regardless of what material you decide on, a moderate action will best suit the size of baits you are throwing and more important the hook sizes.  PapaJoe 222 and I share the same opinion.  

[KP Duty]

It's preference as mentioned.  Every time I site graphite as being superior, I see one of my favorite pros using glass and touting it's advantages. 

[buzzed bait]

On 2/22/2017 at 11:37 AM, A-Jay said:

Perhaps you could consider the third option ~ a composite stick.

These rods can offer a nice bend of performance & action; some parabolic sweetness of fiberglass with the light weight sensitivity of graphite.

IMO, the best of both worlds.

A-Jay

 

yeah i agree with A jay, i've had glass and graphite and both worked.  then i got a custom built phenix x-10 composite and that thing is the "goldilocks" rod, it is just right.